Zen Center invites you to join us for these upcoming special ceremonies:
See below, click on underlined events, or check the main calendar for details on each event. You may also call 415.863.3136 or email
- New Year's Celebrations (December 31 and January 1)
- Tokudo - Priest Ordination Ceremony (January 5, 2013)
- Eihei Dogen's Birthday (January 25, 2013)
- Bodhidharma Celebration (February 6, 2013)
- Parinirvana Ceremony (February 15, 2013)
- Katagiri Roshi Memorial (March 2, 2013)
- Mahapajapati Memorial (March 9, 2013)
- Spring Equinox Ceremony (March 20, 2013, 6:15pm)
- Spring Interim (April 1-6, 2013)
- Buddha's Birthday Celebration (April 6, 2013)
- Jukai - Lay Initiation Ceremony (April 13, 2013)
- Summer Solstice Ceremony (June 20, 2013, 6:15pm)
- Summer Interim (August 26-31, 2013)
- Jukai - Lay Initiation Ceremony (September 14, 2013)
- Fall Equinox Ceremony (September 21, 2013, 7:10am)
- Eihei Dogen & Keizan Jokin Memorial (September 26 & 27, 2013)
- Bodhidharma Memorial (October 4 & 5, 2013)
- Sejiki Ceremony (October 31, 2013)
- Thanksgiving Service (November 27, 2013, 6:15pm)
- Buddha's Enlightenment Ceremony (December 7, 2013)
- Winter Solstice Ceremony (December 21, 2013, 7:10am)
- Winter Interim (December 24-31, 2013)
Memorial services for our founder, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, are held at the time of evening service (6:15 pm weekdays) on the 3rd of each month and at the time of morning service (6:30 am weekdays, 7:10 am Saturdays) on the 4th of each month. For Saturday evening and Sunday times, contact the office at 415.863.3136. All are welcome to attend.
Each month at the full moon, the community gathers to renew our Bodhisattva vows. All are welcome. This is a formal ceremony including chanting and full bows. If it is your first Full Moon Ceremony or you are unfamiliar with the forms, please follow others in offering incense before entering the Buddha Hall and be sure to take a chant card. For more information, contact the office at 415.863.3136.
An example of the ceremony can be downloaded here. The text of the ceremony is also available for download: Full Moon Bodhisattva Ceremony (PDF)
The ceremony will be held on:
December 28 (Friday 6:30 am) - As this event occurs during interim, it will be optional for the residents, and may be a smaller ceremony than usual.
2013
January 26 (Saturday 7:10 am)
February 25 (Monday 6:30 am)
March 27 (Wednesday 6:30 am)
April 25 (Thursday 6:30 am)
May 24 (Friday 6:30 am)
June 22 (Saturday 7:10 am)
July 22 (Monday 6:30 am)
August 20 (Tuesday 6:30 am)
September 19 (Thursday 6:30 am)
October 18 (Friday 6:30 am)
November 18 (Monday 6:30 am)
December 17 (Tuesday 6:30 am)
- April, July, August, and December (see dates above)
During the interim break the regular schedule is optional for residents. The zendo (meditation hall) will continue to be open for meditation, staffed by volunteers. Sign up on the volunteer sheet near the zendo or contact the
ino if you would like to volunteer to be doan or doorwatch in the morning or evening during the interim. Thank you.
Friday, January 25, 2013, 6:30 am
Ceremony at time of morning service.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013, 6:30 am
Ceremony at time of morning service.
Friday, February 15, 2013, 6:05 am
Ceremony in the zendo during the second period of zazen in the morning.
Saturday, March 2, 2013, 7:10 am
Ceremony at time of morning service.
Saturday, March 9, 2013, 7:10 am
Ceremony at time of morning service.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 6:15 pm
Ceremony at time of evening service.
Saturday, April 6, 2013, 11:00 am
After morning lecture.
Thursday, June 20, 2013, 6:15 pm
Ceremony at the time of morning service.
Saturday, September 21, 2013, 7:10 am
Ceremony at time of morning service.
Thursday, September 26, 2013, 6:15 pm and Friday, September 27, 2013, 6:30 am
Two-part ceremony at the time of evening service and morning service.
Friday, October 4, 2013, 6:15 pm and Saturday, October 5, 2013, 7:10 am
Two-part ceremony at the time of evening service and morning service.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013, 6:15 pm
Ceremony will be in the Buddha Hall, in lieu of evening service. Donations of non-perishable food are welcomed.
Saturday, December 7, 2013, 6:40 am
This ceremony occurs on the morning of the final day of the rohatsu sesshin. All are welcome to attend. The ceremony includes chanting accompanied by a drum during a circumambulation of the Buddha Hall.
Saturday, December 21, 2013, 7:10 am
Ceremony at the time of morning service.